9 Mexican & Caribbean Recipes to Spice Up Dinner

Inspired by the cruise routes taken by Carnival to Mexico and the Caribbean, we're sharing nine dishes with roots in these tropical regions to make at home.

We're always looking for an excuse to head out of town, take a breather, and eat delicious food by some body of water. There's something about a breeze, a cold drink, and spicy food that makes us feel like we're far away from pavement—or at least responsibility. But when you can't get away, transport yourself with these Mexican- or Caribbean-influenced recipes full of sweet and savory flavors.

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With cooking influences hailing from across the globe—South America, Asia, and Africa mostly—the countries around the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico utilize a variety of spices in their tropical cuisines. While the following 9 spices are certainly not all the regions have to offer, they're found in many dishes and regularly end up mingling together. Often ubiquitous in home kitchens, these spices are ones to stock up on (you can find them in just about any grocery store, and your pantry will be thankful for the addition).

Here are 9 ways to use what you'll likely have on hand to spice up your meals: